WordNet-Online
Free dictionary and thesaurus of English. Definitions, synonyms, antonyms and more...
Hint: double-click any word to get it searched!

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.wordnet-online.com

Definitions from WordNet

Definitions from the Web

Logical Positivism

Description: Logical positivism, also known as logical empiricism, is a philosophical movement that emerged in the early 20th century. It aims to combine the principles of logical reasoning with empirical evidence in order to understand the world and validate knowledge. Logical positivists emphasize the importance of the scientific method and empirical verification in the pursuit of meaningful statements.

Senses and Usages:

1. Philosophical Movement:

Logical positivism refers to the philosophical movement that originated in the early 20th century and it seeks to analyze statements and concepts by applying logical reasoning and empirical verification.

Example sentence: The foundational thinkers of logical positivism, such as Moritz Schlick and Rudolf Carnap, paved the way for a revolution in philosophical thought.

2. Epistemology:

In epistemology, logical positivism asserts that knowledge and meaning are derived through logical reasoning and empirical observations, dismissing metaphysical and non-verifiable claims.

Example sentence: According to logical positivism, statements not verifiable by empirical evidence, such as the existence of supernatural beings, lack meaning.

3. Impact on Scientific Method:

Logical positivism significantly impacted the philosophy of science by promoting the scientific method as the most reliable way to understand the natural world and obtain objective knowledge.

Example sentence: The principles of logical positivism greatly influenced the scientific approach, emphasizing the importance of empirical observations and testability of hypotheses.

Related Products:

Explore these related products on Amazon:

• Books on Logical Positivism
• Philosophy of Science Books
• Books on Empiricism